WANDERERS claimed a deserved three points in the capital thanks to goals from Aaron Morley and Dion Charles.

Ian Evatt’s side may well feel they could have won by a bigger margins, having created a hatful of chances in either half, but in the end can be justifiably proud of beating a team who – like them – are bang in form.

Ian Evatt left both of his new signings, Cameron Jerome and Victor Adeboyejo, on the bench and made two changes to the side that had beaten Forest Green. Kieran Lee came in for the suspended Elias Kachunga and George Johnston replaced Randell Williams, with Gethin Jones moved to left wing-back.

Wanderers could hardly have wished for a better start to the first half, as Morley curled in an inch-perfect free kick from 25 yards out to beat Ashley Maynard-Brewer just four minutes in.

Dion Charles could have made it two a few minutes later. Shola Shoretire won possession deep in Charlton territory and rolled a pass through for Charles, who drilled an angled shot under the keeper which bounced up on to the crossbar.

Charlton went into the game on the back of three straight league wins and looked dangerous with the game in transition, particularly through the pacy Jes Rak-Sakyi.

It was the Crystal Palace loanee who forced James Trafford into two good saves before the break, the first with a flicked header from Albie Morgan’s free kick, the second with a marvellous jinking run from the right, ending in a low drive pushed round the post by the Bolton keeper.

Wanderers’ football around the penalty area was a joy to watch at times, and Morley went close to scoring his second of the game after a clever lay-off from Kyle Dempsey.

George Johnston also arrowed a shot just wide at the close of the half, shortly after Lucas Ness and George Dobson had thrown themselves in front of two close-range efforts from Eoin Toal.

Johnston had required treatment just before the interval, and while he played on for a couple of minutes, he did not reappear for the second half.

Declan John came in for his first football since October but had barely had chance to get a touch of the ball when the home side got themselves level.

Straight from the off, Rak-Sakyi played in Morgan on the edge of the box, he beat Morley and hit a bouncing shot that found its way past Trafford.

That certainly woke the home crowd up but Bolton continued to create chances. Lee lifted a shot over the bar then teed-up Shoretire close to goal, only for him to lose balance.

The Manchester United loanee then became the second player of the afternoon to hobble off, being replaced by Vic Adeboyejo a few moments later.

Wanderers continued to create. Morley picked out a good run by John – the Welshman forsaking a chance to volley at goal to square a pass for Charles, who couldn’t quite get a decisive touch.

Charlton still had moments, though, and after Gethin Jones had conceded a free kick on the edge of the box, Trafford made a marvellous save to push Scott Fraser’s free kick round his post.

Rak-Sakyi also prodded a shot wide from right in front of goal - to the disbelief of the valley support.

Picking a winner at that stage was tough. But Bolton got a gift when Adeboyejo and Morley combined on the right to loop a ball into the penalty box – Dempsey beat keeper Maynard-Brewer to the ball and was able to nod it in the direction of Charles, unmarked, to pass in his 14th goal of the campaign.

Wanderers had chances to make it easier on themselves, Bradley put a shot over the top after a fine exchange with Lee, Adeboyejo went clean through on a terrible backpass by Lucas Ness but had his pocket picked at the last second. The new signing had another shot blocked in stoppage time.

But, not for the first time this week, Bolton showed they had the mettle to protect their lead. Three points well earned.